The BBC has apologised to Joan Lawrence, the mother of missing university chef, Claudia Lawrence, after letters about TV licence fee payments were sent to her daughter's property. Mrs.
Lawrence indicated to The Sun newspaper that these letters were causing her "untold heartache" as they came with threats of a fine of £1,000.
Claudia Lawrence has not been seen since 2009 and is believed to have been murdered.
Her mother's complaint is related to the manner in which the broadcaster has treated the family of a person missing for over a decade.
In more detail,Ms Lawrence was last seen on March 18, 2009, near her home in Heworth, Yorkshire.
Despite a murder investigation into her disappearance, no one has been charged or found guilty in connection with her assumed killing.
Her mother has expressed frustration with the BBC's pursuit of licence fee payments, which have been sent to her daughter's cottage for several years, and with the threats of legal action and fines.
In September 2022, she contacted the BBC to express her discontent, and, whilst a temporary pause was subsequently put in place, the letters restarted in February this year.
A BBC spokesman said: "We're very sorry for the distress caused to Mrs Lawrence and we will be apologising to her directly."
The incident has drawn unexpected criticism from the local MP, Rachael Maskell, a shadow Cabinet minister, who has written to the Culture Secretary, Nadine Dorries, asking her to investigate the case.
Maskell said the case highlights a failure within the national broadcaster to consider the impact that its actions may have on individuals who may already be experiencing immense trauma.
In contrast, a BBC Investigative journalist, Mark Daly, writing in The Times, noted Mrs.
Lawrence's strong words, but added: "We have a duty to run this service properly and that includes making licence fee payments mandatory.
How would people expect us to react if a service user didn't want to pay?"